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Baradaran Eftekhari M, Falahat K, Ebrahimi Tavani M. A Decade Evaluation of Research and Technology Activities in Iranian Pediatric Research Centers: A National Cross-sectional Study. J. Pediatr. Rev 2026; 14 (2) :177-186
URL: http://jpr.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-765-fa.html

Background: Childhood health and development have a significant impact on mortality, morbidity, and long-term well-being indicators in developing countries. 
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the research and technological activities of Iranian pediatric research centers (PRCs) over a ten-year period (2014–2023). 
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 to assess 33 licensed PRCs in Iran. Data were collected from annual evaluation reports and analyzed based on predefined research evaluation criteria, across three domains: stewardship, scientific authority, and research impact. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 22.0), with the level of significance set at P<0.05. 
Results: Findings indicate that the Research Center for Immunodeficiency of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Child Growth and Development Research Center of Isfahan UMS and Maternal, Fetal and Neonatal Research Center of Tehran UMS ranked first to third in the evaluation, respectively. In terms of stewardship, all PRCs had a strategic plan; however stakeholder participation in its development was limited. The top three priority areas were related to childhood non-communicable diseases. Regarding scientific authority, 8,146 research articles have been published. Of these, 68.3% were indexed in Web of Science (WOS), and the mean five-year h-index of the centers was 9.2. PRCs submitted a total of eight research impact proposals.
Conclusions: Iranian PRCs demonstrate clear strengths, including established strategic plans and a substantial body of high quality publications, reflecting growing scientific visibility. Nonetheless, limited stakeholder involvement in planning and the small number of research impact proposals reveal areas requiring further development to strengthen translation and enhance contributions to child health.